Bats Rack: Back Home

The Bats are back home Tuesday, beginning an eight game homestand. They’ll play 4 games against Durham (Tampa Bay) and 4 games against Norfolk (Baltimore). Louisville has a 12-6 record, which puts them second behind Columbus (Cleveland), who are 13-5.

As we all know, injury problems for the Reds have caused them to bring up Chris Valaika and Jeremy Hermida from the Bats. In their place have come Eric Eymann and Fred Lewis, both who have been with the Bats before. Lewis played in just 7 games for the Carolina Mudcats hitting .261 with just 1 RBI on the young season. Eymann has also played in 7 games for the Reds’ Double-A affiliate hitting .188 with 2 RBI.

Who’s Hot

Dave Sappelt – This guy is basically going to make this list every update if he keeps playing like he is right now. Sappelt is hitting .356 for the season with 3 HR, 7 doubles, 1 triples, and 8 RBI. However, Sappelt hasn’t been quite as aggressive on the base paths as the Reds would like; he has just 2 SB and has been caught twice. But, the bat is there, as you can see, and the defense is there as well. I can say personally there have been multiple times this season when the other team has blasted one to the gap and it seems like a double—maybe a triple. Then Sappelt comes out of nowhere to make the catch. The guy has crazy speed and it comes in handy in CF.

Eric Eymann – He’s played in just three games, but he has four hits in those three games, 3 RBI, 1 HR, and 2 doubles. Eymann is hardly a top prospect but when this guy is hitting the ball like he is right now, he can be pretty good. He plays both corner infield spots, which means he’ll be playing quite often for the Bats.

Daniel Ray Herrera – After a rough first outing on Opening Day in which he gave up 3 ER in 0.2 IP (40.50 ERA), D-Ray has been stellar out of the ‘pen. He has brought his ERA down to 3.00 by giving up just 5 hits and 3 runs (0 earned) in 8.0 IP. Herrera has looked strong lately and he’s making a strong case for a call up should the Reds need someone.

Who’s Not

Yonder Alonso – Not much we can say here. He’s not looking comfortable at all since moving to LF. Not sure what it is. Alonso didn’t have an RBI until the 24th. So far through 15 games, he is hitting .256 with a home run and 2 RBI. Hopefully (as I like to do a lot) it’s just a slow start and he’ll get through it. We all know how good this guy can be. I have faith he’ll be under the Who’s Hot category before long.

Zach Cozart – Cozart’s struggles have continued. He’s hitting .171 with 3 doubles and 4 RBI in 17 games. Cozart has never been known for his bat; but .171 is simply not acceptable.

Other Notes

Jose Arredondo is very close to joining the Bats as his rehab continues. While pitching for Carolina, he has given up just 2 ER in 7.2 IP over 6 appearances. He has also struck out 11 and walked just 4. Those are strong numbers for a guy coming back from Tommy John surgery.

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